Useful Info

Useful Information

The following links will provide information for novice or intending bushwalkers

Equipment for overnight or extended walks

Personal First Aid Kit.

·	Triangular bandage

·	75mm wide stretch bandage

·	Wound dressing

·	Panadol or similar

Sunscreen

·	Variety of adhesive strips

Lip salve

·	Insect repellent

·	Note book and pencil

·	Personal medication

·	Leucoplast (or Elastoplast) tape for blisters

Always check with leader to see if there are any variations to requirements or additional equipment needed. Ideally sharing the group equipment between two people the pack weight should be around 13 kg plus 900gms/day for food.

Keeping warm in the snow.

A day in the snow, whether skiing, tobogganing or just throwing snowballs can be great fun providing you keep dry, warm and windproof. Wear several layers of clothing to allow you to adjust your temperature as you warm up during exercise or cool down when you stop exercising.

The inner layer should carry perspiration away from your body so wear thermal top and long johns. Wool tights and a spencer are OK of you are starting out and don't have thermals. Always wear wool or woolblend socks as acrylic ones are cold.

The middle layer should consist of a wool or woolblend shirt plus at least two light wool jumpers or a polar fleece jacket. This is better than one thick, heavy garment. Think in terms of layers; several thin layers are more flexible and allow better heat control. On the lower half wear wool or woolblend pants or track and field tracksuit pants.

Your outer shell should be waterproof and windproof. Fully waterproof coat with hood, plus waterproof pants should be carried at all times. Parkas are of little use, not waterproof and too heavy.

Wear a wool or polar fleece balaclava that rolls up into a cap. In spring carry a peaked cap for sun protection.

Gloves are essential, use gloves that are warm when wet such as wool, thinsulate or a thermal material. Waterproof overmitts keep them dry. (Use dishwashing gloves over kids woollen gloves for waterproofing.)

Waterproof footwear is a must. Gaiters keep snow out of your boots. Gumboots for kids are waterproof but very cold. Wear a few pairs of socks and put waterproof pants outside the boots.

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Equipment for overnight or extended walks:

The following is the minimum equirement for overnight hikes in alpine areas, all seasons.

·	Backpack - 65+ litre capacity. Always use a large garbage bag as a waterproof liner.

·	Tent 2-3 person, good quality and lightweight with fly.

·	Sleeping bag, down or synthetic suitable for sub zero conditions in a waterproof stuff sack.

·	Thermarest or sleeping mat. Not air bed or lilo.

·	Groundsheet or survival blanket.

·	Fuel stove. Share in tent groups. Fires are not allowed in some areas.

·	Fuel bottle. 500ml minimum for weekend walk. Clearly marked as fuel.

·	Billies for cooking if not part of stove.

·	Knife, fork, spoon.

·	Plate and cup.

·	Pot scourer, detergent, chux or tea towel.

·	Food containers, plastic or aluminium or snaplock bags.

·	Water bottle at least 1 litre.

·	Four litre wine cask bladder (empty!!!).

·	Small torch - reverse one battery for carrying. Spare globe and batteries.

·	Spare large garbage bag.

·	Personal first aid kit ( see below).

·	Toilet paper (small amount not roll) in plastic bag.

Compass.

Whistle.

·	10m light rope or cord (blind cord).

·	Two or three supermarket bags to carry rubbish or water in wine bladder.

·	Matches in two boxes in waterproof bag/container.

·	Toilet gear, enough for the time out, not for a month. Small towel or chux, small soap, toothbrush and paste.

Clothing:

- Wear:

·	Shorts or tracksuit pants (track and field or fleecy nylon, not cotton). NO JEANS.

Shirt.

·	Wool or woolblend socks (Explorers).

·	Walking boots.

Gaiters.

Sun hat.

- In pack:

·	Wool or fleece jumper.

·	Waterproof coat with hood. Gortex or japara

·	Waterproof pants. Cheap plastic ones are OK.

·	Thermal top and long johns.

·	Gloves or mittens (woollen or thermal) and beanie.

·	One change of warm clothes to include tracksuit or woollen pants. NO JEANS.

·	Woolblend shirt, underwear and socks.

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Equipment for day walks:

This list is a guide to the minimum equipment required for a typical day walk in alpine areas. The leader may decide to vary the requirements for specific walks depending on location, altitude and weather conditions.

·	Waterproof coat with hood, Gortex or Japara, mid thigh to knee length

·	Waterproof overpants

·	Wool beanie and gloves

Sunhat

·	Shorts, track and field or woolblend pants; NO JEANS

·	Lightweight or woolblend shirt, depending on conditions

·	Polar fleece jacket or woollen jumper

·	Walking boots or strong sneakers

·	Wool or woolblend socks

·	Water container at least 1 litre

Whistle

·	Space blanket or ground sheet

·	Personal first aid kit

·	triangular bandage

·	75mm wide stretch bandage

·	wound dressing

·	Panadol or similar

sunscreen

·	variety of adhesive strips

lip salve

·	insect repellent

·	note book and pencil

·	personal medication

·	matches in plastic bag

·	Day pack 30-40 litre capacity; comfortable to wear. Line with garbage bag for wet weather.

This is an extensive list which would allow you to stay out a night if the circumstances arose.

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